Tuesday, February 15, 2011

E is for Elderberry

In keeping with my food theme, E is for elderberry. (It is known as "holunderbeere" in Germany and this I know because I served an elderberry pie for dessert once when a German friend was here.)

Across the road in my neighbor's yard are some elderberry bushes. Each August Bob comes knocking at my door to see if we would like some. I always say yes, though there was a time when I wasn't too sure. If I look a little unsure in the picture, it's because I wasn't yet sold on the idea.

Each year when Bob comes calling I gladly accept his offering. We pull the tiny black berries from their stems and fill up a big bowl. I measure them for pie filling, dump them into zip-lock bags, and toss them in the freezer.

Elderberry pie was always my dad's very favorite, but I don't recall Mom ever making it. I don't recall ever eating myself it until we moved across the street from Bob, and truthfully, at first I wasn't impressed, but my family liked it, especially with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Funny thing, I've come to think of elderberry pie as one of my favorites lately too, and apparently it is highly sought after and rather hard to come by for some folks. (We found that out on our pie making venture this fall...)

Lovely elderberries! My mom had a tree and I loved all stages of it. The flowers are gorgeous and make good pressed flowers. Not to mention the medicinal uses for fighting off the cold and flu (the berries).Lucky you to live to one so close!

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Here I am

I am a work in the hands of the Master Potter. I pray that His fingerprints are all over me as I walk through this life. This is my journey. Thank you, Jesus, for not giving up on me.
I am mom to seven beautiful grown ups and grandma to ten beautiful grandchildren.